Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Yeast Signaling01:28

Yeast Signaling

16.4K
Yeasts are single-celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, they are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus). Cell signaling in yeast is similar to signaling in other eukaryotic cells. A ligand, such as a protein or a small molecule released from a yeast cell, attaches to a receptor on the cell surface. The binding stimulates second-messenger kinases to activate or inactivate transcription factors that further regulate gene expression. Many of the yeast intracellular signaling cascades have similar...
16.4K
Endocrine Signaling01:45

Endocrine Signaling

65.7K
Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
65.7K
Diencephalon: Hypothalamus and Coordination01:23

Diencephalon: Hypothalamus and Coordination

2.6K
The hypothalamus is a small yet highly complex and essential brain region that plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions. Anatomically, it is located at the base of the brain, just above the brainstem and below the thalamus, forming part of the limbic system.
The hypothalamus interacts with other brain regions, including the pituitary gland, through a direct physical connection called the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The hypothalamus receives somatic and visceral inputs and...
2.6K
Regulation of Food Intake01:30

Regulation of Food Intake

1.0K
Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
1.0K
Autocrine Signaling01:01

Autocrine Signaling

49.4K
Autocrine signaling is one of the many signaling mechanisms that function inside multicellular organisms to carry out intercellular communication. In this type of signaling mechanism, the same cell that secretes an extracellular signaling molecule also expresses the receptors to bind and respond to that signaling molecule.
Autocrine Signaling in Macrophages
Under normal physiological conditions, autocrine signaling is essential for maintaining homeostasis. This process is well characterized in...
49.4K
Neurotransmitters01:31

Neurotransmitters

1.9K
Neurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers within the nervous system, facilitating the communication between neurons. These chemical messengers, varying in function and effect, are critical for sustaining various aspects of neurological health and emotional well-being.
1.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Semaglutide drives weight loss through cAMP-dependent mechanisms in GLP1R-expressing hindbrain neurons.

Nature metabolism·2026
Same author

A distinct vagus-beta cell neural circuit senses glucose and modulates insulin secretion.

Molecular metabolism·2026
Same author

Calcium-triggered apoplastic ROS bursts balance gravity and mechanical signals for soil navigation.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same author

Cocaine-Induced Immediate-Early Gene Expression in the Nucleus Accumbens: Roles of Separate cAMP Sensors.

Journal of neurochemistry·2026
Same author

Behavioral adaptation to warm conditions via Lim1-mediated acceleration of neuronal clocks.

Nature neuroscience·2025
Same author

Underwater sound production of free-ranging Hawaiian monk seals.

Royal Society open science·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 22, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Real-Time cAMP Detection in Cells Using cADDis Biosensor
06:03

Author Spotlight: Advancing Real-Time cAMP Detection in Cells Using cADDis Biosensor

Published on: March 22, 2024

1.2K

Hypothalamic dopamine neurons motivate mating through persistent cAMP signalling.

Stephen X Zhang1, Andrew Lutas1, Shang Yang2

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Nature
|August 26, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Dopamine neurons in the hypothalamus control mating drive in male mice. Their activity regulates mating motivation and satiety by accumulating or suppressing signals in the medial preoptic area.

More Related Videos

Measuring and Altering Mating Drive in Male Drosophila melanogaster
07:02

Measuring and Altering Mating Drive in Male Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: February 15, 2017

11.3K
Measuring In Vivo Changes in Extracellular Neurotransmitters During Naturally Rewarding Behaviors in Female Syrian Hamsters
10:23

Measuring In Vivo Changes in Extracellular Neurotransmitters During Naturally Rewarding Behaviors in Female Syrian Hamsters

Published on: September 12, 2017

10.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 22, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Real-Time cAMP Detection in Cells Using cADDis Biosensor
06:03

Author Spotlight: Advancing Real-Time cAMP Detection in Cells Using cADDis Biosensor

Published on: March 22, 2024

1.2K
Measuring and Altering Mating Drive in Male Drosophila melanogaster
07:02

Measuring and Altering Mating Drive in Male Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: February 15, 2017

11.3K
Measuring In Vivo Changes in Extracellular Neurotransmitters During Naturally Rewarding Behaviors in Female Syrian Hamsters
10:23

Measuring In Vivo Changes in Extracellular Neurotransmitters During Naturally Rewarding Behaviors in Female Syrian Hamsters

Published on: September 12, 2017

10.4K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurobiology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

Background:

  • Transient neuromodulation significantly impacts neural circuits and motivational states.
  • Understanding the dopaminergic mechanisms behind mating drive and its persistence is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of specialized dopamine neurons in regulating mating drive and satiety in male mice.
  • To elucidate the intracellular signaling pathways involved in mating-related dopamine release and its behavioral effects.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized optogenetics to stimulate and inhibit specific dopamine neurons (AVPV/PVpo) in the hypothalamus.
  • Employed optical and molecular techniques to track and manipulate intracellular signaling (cAMP, PKA) in the medial preoptic area (MPOA).
  • Observed behavioral responses related to mating motivation and satiety in male mice.

Main Results:

  • Specialized anteroventral and preoptic periventricular (AVPV/PVpo) dopamine neurons control mating drive and satiety.
  • Dopamine release in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) primes mating interest, driven by cAMP and PKA activity.
  • Successful mating abolishes dopamine transients in the MPOA, and manipulation of AVPV/PVpo neurons alters mating motivation and satiety.

Conclusions:

  • The accumulation or suppression of signals from AVPV/PVpo dopamine neurons regulates mating behaviors over minutes to days.
  • These dopamine neurons are key regulators of both the initiation and cessation of mating behavior, demonstrating a dual role in motivational control.